Carlile House

Carlile House is a two-storey brick building in Grey Lynn featuring Italianate architecture with limestone details, arched windows, and a central columned portico. The structure requires substantial repairs and currently remains closed to the public due to its deteriorating condition.

Edward Costley funded the establishment of the Costley Training Institute in 1886, which operated as a training facility for boys until 1908. After its closure, the building served various organizations before the United Church of Tonga acquired it in 1976.

The building reflects the neighborhood's connection to different communities, particularly the Tongan population who have used it since 1976. Its shifting purposes show how the area and its residents' needs changed over time.

The house sits on Richmond Road in Grey Lynn and is inaccessible to the public due to safety concerns and deteriorating conditions. Visitors can view the building's exterior and architectural features from the street.

In 2002, dance performances were hosted here that explored Tongan immigrant experiences since the 1950s and their connection to New Zealand immigration themes. These events linked the building's past to the stories of those who found community within its walls.

Location: Auckland Region

Address: 84–90 Richmond Road and Dickens Street; Chamberlain Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland

GPS coordinates: -36.85745,174.74058

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05